Block-signaling arrangement and the like



' e. YSEBQODT AND R. H. MAUTSCH. BLOCK SIGNALING ARRANGEMENT AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATIQN FILED MAR. l8, l9l4- v 1 Pmmnted Oct. 2% W22.

3 SHEETS-SHEE1 l.

.HVE

G. Y SEBOODT AND R. H MAUTSCH.

BLOCK SIGNALING ARRANGEMENT AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION mm MAR. 18. 1914.

Patented Oct. 2%, 1922.

' 3 SHEEIS- SHEEI 2- G. YSEBOODT AND RKHx MAUTSCH.

BLOCK SIGNALING ARRANGEMENT AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATIJN FILED MAR. 1.8, l9l4. 0st" 241:,

3 SHEEIS-SHEE'I s.

atentedct, H ll, W22.

Mira

dltlli OF CORTENBERG,

BELGIUIVI.

BLOCK-SIGNALING ARRANGEMENT AND THE LIKE.

Application filed March 18, 1914. Serial No. 825,633.

To (tZZuflw m it may concern.

Beit known that we, GUs'rAvn 'Ysnnoon'r and ROBERT HENRI MAUTSCH, subjects of the King of the Belgians, residing at Brussole, and Cortenberg, Province of Brabant, respectively, both in the Kingdom of Belgium, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Block- Signaling Arrangements and the like, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improve ments in and relating to apparatus and installations for regulating trains known as i the block system. Such systems previously employed continuous currents, single phase alternating currents or the like and have always been open to the objection that it is possible to obtain a false signal by these means. For instance contacts between the wires themselves, contacts of these wires with the earth, variations in the resistance of the earthing connections and atmospheric discharges or contact with other wires through which current passes which are capable of operating the instruments would each cause a false signal to be1 Jerl'Orme-d. Thisis particularly the case in. which the lines are in the open and on which telegraphic,

telephonic and other controlling and communicating wires are all carried upon the same posts. These defects also take place with cables as well as with overhead wires and the object of the present invention is to entirely eliminate this objection.

(hie object of the invention is to provide a pparatns responsive to a selection of simul" taneously operating currents in order to avoid the possibility of accidental operation of the signal.

Another object of the invention is to jnovide a means to ensure regular operation of the apparatus by the operators at each station.

According to the present invention a numher of currents aresupplied simultaneously so as to operate members which will release for manual or other operation the signals of whatever type these may be, semaphore or otherwise. These currents for instance may be'polyphase and in a preferred form three phase. This is particularly advantageous as three phase current is very seldom if everemployed on thesame poles are used for carrying the wires for the block apparatus and further even if so used the danger of two or three wires being simultaneously in connection is such as to be practically negligible. By using three phase current or the like it is possible to ensure that the transmitting member must be operatedbetween the successive acceptance of two trains running in the same direction, for instance when the receiving member is a motor it may be arranged so that when rotated in one direction it will release the signal while a second release of the signal cannot take place until its direction of rotation has been reversed, that is to say until two of the phases of the currents sent out have been reversed.

The various apparatus for perfmrming the necessary operation for a blocking system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the apparatus are shown diagrammatically. This invention is capable of numerous applications as will be readily understood but is described with reference to a three phase current :system.

al shows the arrangement of the transmitting and receiving stations with the receiver rotating in either direction.

Fig. 2 shows the receiving apparatus after the rotation of the motor and before the lowering of the signal.

Fig. 3 shows the receiving apparatus after the first raising of the signal.

Fig. 4. shows the ap iiaratus at both stations when a unidirectional rotation of the receiver desired.

Fig. 5 shone the receiver apparatus after the first transmissimi of tl'lrce phase currents i In general. the inventhm relates to a plurality of stations each having a transmitting and receiving a )paratus the transmitter at one station being connected to the receiver at the next and so on. The receiving apparatus is such that when three phase current generated at the transmitting station is received, an asynchronous three phase motor rotates to free the signal. lever which can then beopcrated. The movement of the lever controlling the signal arm causes the characteristics of the receiving apparatus to be altered in that either two phases of the receiving motor are reversed or the shaft of the receiving motor is mechanically prevented. from rotating a second time in the samedirection. Both cases necessitate the reversal of two phases of the current gen erated at the transmitter which is automatically eflected on the restoration of the transmitting device to its normal position between the acceptance of two successive trains.

In the first method of operation of this system to which Figs. 1, 2 and 3 refer, the direction of rotation of the asynchronous motor of the receiver at the up station changes at each acceptance in consequence of the disposition of the mechanism of this receiver and thus requires a reversal oi: two phases of the three phase current at the transmitting station. This is eifected by the replacement of the transmitter in its normal position between two successive acceptances.

1 shows a block system comprising two stations A. and B connected by the conducting wires 1 and 2 and also by the earth return shown connected to earth at 3 and 41. The station A includes a signal 5 belonging to the section of the line between the two stations in the direction of travel from A to B, and a three phase asynchronous motor comprising a stator 6 and a rotor 60 operating the mechanism of the receiver which unlocks the signal. The station B comprises a generator of three phase current 8, the transmitter 9 actuating the line switches 10 and 11 as well as the phase changer 12.

Fig. 1 shows the apparatus in a normal position that is to say the position that they occupy when no train is passing through this section of the line. In this position it will be seen that the operating lever 7 of the signal is held fast by the elements 13, let and 15. The lever 7 turns freely round the spindle 16 which it rotates only in one direction by means of the ratchet 17 during the operation of lowering the signal. The cam 18 mounted on the shaft 16 operates a change at each operation of the signal the position of the levers 19 and 20 turning freely about the axis 21.

It will be seen that in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing the levers 19 and 20 allow the axis 22 to turn only in the direction of the arrow 23. After the lowering of the signal the levers 19 and 20 will change their position and the spindle 22 will be able to turn only in the opposite direction to that shown by the arrow 23.

The three phase motor rotates the spindle 22 through the intermediary of a train of gears 24 and a friction device 25 in one or other direction according to the inversion of the three phase currents transmitted by the station E. The friction device 25 serves to damp the movement of the motor when the cam 15 meets one or the other of the stopping abutments 26 and 27.

In operation, in order to instruct the station A to lower the signal 5, the station l3 pushes down his transmitting apparatus 9 and rotates the generator 8 and sends in this way three phase current to the station A.

1 shows clearly the path taken by the three phase current through the intermediary of the two conductors 1 and 2 and the earth return. If the currents in the phases are suitably cummuted to elliect this first acceptance the axis 22 turns in the direction oi the arrow 23 and. the mechanism of the receiver at the station A takes up at the end of the operation the position shown in Fig. 2. This figure shows that the element 13 connected to the lever 7 is freed and that the signal 5 can be lowered.

\Vheu the lever 7 is pulled back a projection 28 of the rod 29 which is connected to the lever 7 and which slides on the fixed rod 30 takes up its position in front of" one end of the cog 31 fixed on the spindle 22. ()n the other hand during its pulling back morement the lever 7 draws the spindle il' by means of the ratchet 1.7 and thus changes the positions of the lovers 1E) and 20 by means of the cog 18. During the operation of raising the signal the projection 28 meets the cog 31 which results in the turning of the spindle 22 in the opposite direction in such a way to cause it to take up the position which it occupied neviously. .-\t the end oi this operation when the lever 7 is completely returned to its normal position the mechanism of the receiver also takes up its normal position that is to say that in which the lever T is stationary.

It will be seen in Fig. 8 that the cog lfi should now turn in the direction of the arrow 32 for the following acceptance owing to the new position occupied by the levers l9 and 20. It will be seen indeed that the cog to will butt against the lever 15) it the. three phase motor again turns in the same direc tion for the following acceptance.

It therefore absolutely neeessar in order to clear the station A. a second time lor the station B to send him the reversml three phase currents. This changing over is auto-- matically effected when the operator at station B allows the transmitter 9 again to taluup its normal position after the sending oi an acceptance. It will be seen indeed that. the transmitter 9 rotates on the return movement by the combined operation of the ratchet 33 and of the catch 34 the phase changer 12 which changes in a suitable manner after each regular operation of the transmitter 9 two of the phases of the three phase current.

For the following acceptance the cog 15 will turn in the direction of" the arrow it and will meet. at the end of this path. the abutment 27. In this position the cog 15 brings the notch 52 opposite the member ll which will thus be displaced and tree th element 1?). During the lowering oi the siglllU .l Ill l in causing 'the spindle always turns in cess ve acceptances.

nal thelever 'irotates, as in the preceding operation, the cogl-S by means of the ratchet l7 and will change in this way the: position first acceptance. Duringthe operationiof closing the signal. it will be seen that-the projection of theflmember-iie which is connected to the lever 7 and which slideson the fixed member 37 will this time meet the lower extremity of the 22 toturn and in this way cause the cog 15. totake up its normal position. i l a i The figures clearly show the function of thevarious return spring-s,- -i Vlnit has ,al-

ready been said shows that it possible by theuse of three phase currents suitably changed for each operation. at the transmitting station to enforce the signallers to operate regularly the" apparatus, that is to say, to force them to replace the transmitting between two 9 is lockedby anarrangetrical operated by the train itself, safety will be completely ensured, I l y y In the second method of carrying; out this invention to wl1icli Figstancl 5 referthe asynchronousmotor of the receiving station the samej direction in order to tree the belt which locks the signal lever of the same "section oflthe line, the phases of this motor being changed atthe receiving station between two successive acceptances thus enforcing a secondchanging of phases at thetransmitting stationwhich is effected by putting back in transmitter ofthis station between two succomprising two stations 1.. and B adapted to serve the section of'the l nebetween the twostations Fig. 4 shows a blocksystem in thedirectionl-i towards B. The two stations are connected by two wires]. and 2'aud by an earti i wire at 3 and el The sjttttlflfi ih com )rises a siotnal 5 rotectine' thesection of ti t the lineabovementionedga three phase asyn- 50 i i rotorGOactuating the mechanism of the rechronous motor-comprising a stator 6 and a ceiver which locks thesignal 5. The station li comprises a] three phasecurrent generator 8,41. transmitting device: Qoperatingr line SWlliCllQSlO and lland also the, phase recti tier 12 by means of the ratchet 33 and the;

holding device 34s y a In operation it will be seen that. inlthe position shown the operating lever 7 of the signalh isjrendered stationary by the elements 13, 14

it turns al direction duringthe lowering oi tllOcSlfQZltll by "TWBS Oli a ratchet 1? and ol the l'lQldlnQfilQVlCG 40. Thephase 00;; 31 which results 4: showsclearly the path'talren by the three earth.

In consequence it a the lever 7 and which the normal position the lowering movement enforce on the signallers and 15, .theleven'? turns freely round its axis16 which ways inthe same runes. ;Frcinthis rectifier all lined on the spindle l6 reverses at each operation of lOWGZ'JIlQKillQ s gnal might to turn always in arrow 23 in orderto tree his transmitting device, 9 downwards t and sends i in this way three phase currents to the station A. F 1g.

two conductors and If thethree phase currents are suit ably changed in order to effect this first acceptance; the spindle 22 rotated by means oi the train of gears Qtiturns in the direction of the arrow 22". At the 'endoi. the operation the mechanism of the receiver takes up the position shown by Fig. 5. The lever .7 canthus be drawn back to lower the signal Duringthe withdrawal or. the lever 7 the phase rectifier 41 changes as has been explained above two of thephases oil the motor; .7 uring the closing operation the projection 28 ofthe member 29 which is fixed to slides along the fixed in contact with the cog fixed onthe spindle 22 which results in the rotation of thisspindle in the opposite direction to t-hat shown by the arrow 23 and in the replacement of the cop; in its normal positionjthat is to say that which it occupies in Fig. lhuThe lever 7 is again rendered immovable and it is necessary in order to tree it a second time that the spindle 22 again turns in the directionof the arrow 23, that isto say the motor turns again in the same direction. But as. two phases oi. the motor have been reversed by thephase rectifier. 41 during the previous of the signal it is necessary thatthe station Bshould send to the station A tor this new acceptance, currents phase currents along the member 30co1nes whichare suitably: reversed and this can not take place unless. a operator at station 1B has replaced the transmitter 9 in its normal position after the dispatchof the first device 34. ensure regular operation ofthe phase rectifier- 12. i

Fi 4t and of the v rious return springs. inn-description shows that it is possible by the use of three phase. currents suitably connnuted at each operation at the transmitting stationand at the receiving station to the obligation of replacing? the transmitting device in its normal position between two successive acceptit results that if the transmitter is locked by an arrangement on the track either mechanical or electrical actuatthe spindle '22 on which In order toinstruct the sta' signal 5 the operator 24: and the friction device 5 show clearly. the function i The preced- I &

ed by the train itself, safety will be insured in a complete manner. 7 y

We declare that what we claim is 1. in a block-signaling system the combination' of a plurality of stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station, re

"ceiving a'o Jaratus at the down-line station means to generate three phase current at the transm tter, an asynchronous motor at the receiver adapted to be rotated by the said'three phase current, a signaling device adapted to be actuated only after the rotationv of said motor, means controlling the operation of said signaling device, and means to alter the characteristics oi: said controlling means on the actuation of said signaling device.

2. In block signaling system the combination of a plurality oi stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station, receiving apparatus at the down-line station, means to generate three phase current at the transmitter, an asynchronous motor at the receiver adapted to be rotated by the said three phase current, a signaling device adapted to be actuated only after the rotation of said motor, means controlling the the" operation of said signaling device, means to alter the characteristics of said controlling means on the actuation. of said signaling device, and means at the transmitter to reverse two phases of the three phase current ai ter transmission.

In a hloclr signaling system the combination of a plurality of stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station, receiving apparatus at the down-line station, means to generate three phase current at the transmitter, an asynchronous motor at the receiver adapted to be rotated by the said three phase current, a signaling device adapted to be actuated only after the rotation oli said motor, means controlling the the operation of said signaling device, means to alter the characteristics of said controlling means on the actuation of said signaling device, and automatic means at the transmitter to reverse two phases of the three phase current after transmission.

a. In a block signaling system the combination of a plurality of stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station, receiving zpparatus at the down-line station, a manually operated rotating generator at the transmitting station generating three phase current, an asynchronous motor at the receiver adapted to be rotated by the said three phase current, a signaling device adapted to be actuated only after the rotation .o't said motor, means controlling the the, operation ot said signaling device,

and means to alter the characteristics of? said controlling means on the actuation of said s1gnal1ng device.

5. In a block signaling system the com-.

liination of a plurality of stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-linc station, receiving apparatus at the down-line station, means to generate three phase current at the transmitter, an (ISyDChI'ODOHS motor at the receiver adapted to be rotated by the said three phase current, a signaling device adapted to be actuated only after the rotation oi said motor, means controlling the operation oli said signaling device, moans to alter the characteristics oli said controlling means on the actuation o t said signaling dcvice, and means at the transmitter to reverse two phases of the three phase current only on replacement of the transmitting apparatus in its normal position.

(iw in a block signaling system the comliination at a plurality of etc. 'ons, connecting means hetwccn said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station, rccciriug apparatus at the down-line station, a immually (nieratcd generator at the transmitter generating three phase current, an asynchronous motor at the receiver having its rotor mounted on a spindle and adapted to he rotated by the said current, a signaling device, means for controlling said signaling device adapted tobe put in operative position by the rotation oi? said motor, automatic means at the transmitter to reverse two phases oi: the generator current, and means at the receiver to alter the characteristics of; said rcceiver during each operation oi. said signaling device.

7. .ln block signaling system the comliination of a plurality oi stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-linc station, receiving apparatus at the dowinline station, :1 mama ally operated generator at the transinittur generating three phase current, an asynchronous motor at the receiver lmring its rotor mounted on a spiudlc and adapted to he rotated by said current, a signaling device, an operating lever tor said signaling dcvicc adapted to be normally locked in position, means mounted on said rotor spindle to release said locking means, automatic means at the transmitter to reverse two phases oi the generator current, and means at the receivcr to alter the clunzmtcristim of said receiver during each operation of said signaling device.

8. In a block signaling system the combination or a plurality oi stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station. receiving apparatus at the down-line station, a manually operated generator at the transmitter generating three phase current, an asynloo llll

lliii tit;

. operation oil.

a between said stations,

mally locked. in position, meansv mounted on said T'OtOfSPlIKllG to release said locking means, a phase rectifier at said transmitter to reverse two phases of said generator cur rent, and means at the receiverto alter the characteristics OIli'StllCl. receiverduring each said signaling device. i

9. In a block signaling system the combination of a plurality of stations, connecting ;means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station, *eceiving apparatusat the down-line station, a manually operated generator at the transmitter generating three phase current, an asynchronous motor at the receiver having its rotor mounted on a spindle and adapted to be rotated by said current, a signaling device, an operating lever for, said signalingdevice adapted to benormally locked in position, means mountedon said rotor spindle to release said locking means, a phase rectifier at said transmitter to reverse two phases of said generator current, and a phase rectifier at the receiver adapted to reverse the connections of said asynchronous motor.

10.1n a block signaling system, the co nbination of a ing means between said stations, transmitthe up-line station, receive down-line station,

plurality of stations, connectting apparatus at ing apparatus at the means to generate three phase current at said transmitter, an asynchronous motor at the receiver having its rotor mounted on a spindle adapted to be actuated by said current, a signaling device controlling the line a lever o ierating said signaling device and normally lockedin position, releasing means on said rotor spindle adapted to release said locking means on the rotation of said motor, a phase rectifier at to reverse. the connections of sald asynchronous motor the receiver two phases oi. adapted to be actuated on the operation of said lever, and a phase rectifier at said transmitter to reverse two phases of said three phase current.

1.1. In a block signaling system the com bination of a plurality 01 stations, connecting means between said stations, transmitting apparatus at the up-line station, re ceiving apparatus at the dow11-line station, means to generate three phase current at said transmitter, an asynchronous motor at spindle adapted to be actuated by said ouran operating lever for said signaling device adapted to be norof two phases oi bination of a pair of bination of a pairof nected stations, transmlttlng apparatus at tween said transmitting and its rotormounted on a rent, a signaling device controlling the line between said stations, a lever operating said signaling device andnormally locked in. position, releasing meanson said rotor spindle adapted to release said locking means on the rotation 01 said motor, a phase rectifier at connections the receiver to reverse the said asynchronous motor adapted to be actuated on the operaticm. of said lever, and a phase rectifier at said transmitter to said three phase current only when the transmitting apparatus is restored to its normal position. i a

12. In a block signaling system the coinup-line station, down-line station, connecting means between said transmitting and receiving apparatus, means to generate three phase current. at the transmitter, an. asynchronous motor at the receiver adapted to be rotated. by said three phase current, a signaling device, means controlling the operation of said device and actuated by said motor, and meansto alter the reverse two phases of 1 adj acent inter-conneoted stations, transmltting apparatus at the receiving apparatus at they characteristics of said receiving apparatus on the operation of said signaling device. 13. In a block signaling system the comad acent inter conthe up-line station, receiving apparatus at the down line station, connecting means bereceiving apparatus, means to generate three phase cur-. rent at the transmitter, an asynchronous motor at the receiver adapted to be rotated by said three phase current, a

deviceand actuated by said motor, means to alter the characteristics of said receiving apparatus on the operation of said signalling device, and means at the transmitter to re Witness to the signature of the said Gus- CHARLES R. Jonnson, Ones. ROY NAsMrrn. i Witness to the signature of the saidRobert Henri .Mautsch:-

GHARLns R. Jonnson,

CHAE, Ror NASMITH.

signaling dev1ce, means coi'itrolling the operation of said nnnnr nan'rson.

verse two phases of said current onthera 

